Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-02-12
But the spring of the a Flying Panther y


been one of the first victims. Sullenly the
bafi1ed bloodhcunds marched back bring
/ ing with them the few wretched men whom
! Tecumseh had saved. The trembling
/ women at the cabin were spared the sounds
of the fiendish yells of triumph. for Tecum-
! sch walked with them, the fire of his
righteous indignation still burning in his
deep eyes.
When all had SUNK away, and the camp
was quiet, Tecumseh stalked gloor1ily
| through it. He paused few moments be-
fore the cabin Of the Dunn family. Per-
baps he realized that even his power might
fail to protect the girl Amber from the IL
cense of the camp. None could read his
thoughts. But he walked into the cabin
at midnight, and commanded her to dress
and come with him. Her calmness and
| freedom from distrust evidently pleased
the wild chief. Yet Amber Desmonde
we'll knew that she had no one else TO trust,
and during her life in camp she had en-
| countered looks which made her feel that
there might be evils, compared to which
| blow from the battle ak of Tecumseh would
be blessing. She arrayed herself quickly
and cheerfully for the journey, then tore
herself from the clirging embraces of
Rachel and the children, and committing
herself to the guidance of Tecumseh. went
out into the darkness
! A short walk brought them to the river.
| He lifted his captive as if she had been a
| child through the tangle of weeds and I'M
derbrush and placed her in a tiny canoe
| that he drew from the bushes. Standing
in il, he propelled it slowly up the stream
in the shadow of the bank. The water
| close in shore was as quiet as a lake. The
deep bass of the rapids rose hoarsely on the
night air, drowning all other sounds.
How long this lasted, Amber could not
! tell, but the boat was suddenly wheeled
around, by the powerful arm of the chief,
| and shot into the mouth of little run,
where there was barely water enough to
float it. He pulled the clustering bushes
| still closer about the cane, and throwing a
blanket to the captive, said, "Sleep."
To obey at this crisis of fale was quite
impossible; but she covered close beneath
the friendly shelter. The figure of the In
| dian, erect and watchful, stood motionless
in the shadow. Hours seemed to pass. At
last her eyes closed, but the uneasiness of
her position presently aroused her. Day
break was struggling with fog upon the
river, when she became aware of something
moving near her. Through an opening in
the leaves she saw six figures, stalking by
silent as specters. 1t was evidently scout
ing party returning to the fort after night
feet Of her hiding place and she recog-
nized the Oneidas and Lone Pine. As they
passed with the swift, swinging gait of the
red man, she shuddered as she thought OF
the fiery eyes that were watching them
Tecumseh's fingers must have tingled for a
shot at his old enemies; but he had other
affairs on hand. Too near the fort to ex-
pect an ambush, the men pressed on with
out looking about them. Soon after the
chief resumed his position in the boat and
heading it up stream, Fort Meigs quickly
came into view.
This celebrated fortress, intrenched bv
the strong arms of the Western settlers,
was situated upon bluff hundred feet
above the Maumee. A dense forest of oak
and beech surrounded it. But it had been
cleared away for space of three hundred
yards Immediately around the fort, and
the river front was also cleared for the
deadlY sweep of the cannon. Under cover
of the bank and the fog the little boat was
worked up to the front inst then the sun
appeared, scattering the mist, and the sun
rise gun thundered from the fort The
chief lifted Amber from the boat and
placed in her hands a white flag They
were instantly discovered and on Indian
was seen coming towards them. 1t was an
Interpreter, and hating at a safe distance,
naughty spirit of Tecumseh blazed out
Tell them, he shouted, " that | come
alone bringing white prisoner To none
but an officer will l deliver her If the
pale chiefs are afraid | will take her and
90. Your guns shall not stop me-
In front room, in the largest of the
eight block houses inclosed in the stoclaGe.
sat three officers. The eldest was man of
full middle-age, with plain, sun Drowned
face, lighted by eyes of wonderful kindness
and shrewd penetration. He was dressed
in plain uniform, considerably the worse
for wear The others were younger men,
who were working under his direction at
maps and papers which covered the table
at which they sat. A knock at the door
was followed by the entrance of an orderly
with the interpreter
What is it?" asked General Harrison.
for he knew that something of importance
must have warranted the intrusion. The
Interpreter repeated the words of the
strange Indian, in good English Har-
rison glanced at the soldier, as if for con-
firmation.
=" 1t is so, General" he said; "you can
see them from here" The three officers
stepped out upon the veranda and saw
the background of sky and river, standing
motionless, except for the waving of the
white flag.
The rascal is armed" said Captain
Miller. :" see the CLINT of rifle. 1t is
one of Tecumsehs ambushes."
"One gun woulG blow him-where he
belongs" said the sergeant modifying the
rough phrase. out of Difference to the pres
ence of the commander.
But the prisoner" said the youngest
officer, who had not spoken till now.
Z" 1t is woman. He said her." turning
to the interpreter, who replied by repeating
slowly and in sonorous tones the exact
words of Tecumseh."
BY George it sounds like challenge"
cried Harrison, laughing. "Who will step
on that copper colored gentleman's coat
tails. supposing that he has any
1t is an ambuscade," repeated Captain
Miller, gravely: " one of Tecumseh's devil
ments."
What do you say, Ainslie ?" said Harri-
son, turning to the other officer, whose
features were plainly working under some
suppressed emotion.
With your permission, General he
said, :, will meet the Indian and receive
the captive. Think what must be her fate.
For the sake OF my promised wife, who
may now be somewhere at the mercy of
savages, will save this woman II | can It
risks no life but mine. If fall, there are
plenty of brave men left"
Harrison bowed his assent without
speaking, and Ainslie hurried from the
room. He reappeared presently in bright
uniform, and walked deliberately towards
the chief When he approached near
enough, Tecumseh shouted in English:
Stand Say who you arel''
Before he could reply, his name was
spoken, and Amber Desmonde had fled,
with the swiftness of bird, to the shelter
of his arms.
"Speak to him; thank him." she cried,
after the first bieathless moment. " 1t is
Tecumseh.
Airslie looked up at the dread sound of
that name. But the place was empty where
he had stood SO long a target for the guns
of his enemy.
Brave. noble chief" cried Ainslie,
aloud. We thank your' But Tecumseh
was already beyond the range of the guns,
and whiring down the rapids.
Captain Ainslie left Amber to recover
herself for "a few moments, while he sought
the General, and told her strange story.
I'VE will send her 10 Mrs Harrison I'M
til the war is over" said the kindly COM
mander. then we will have grand wed
ding" And he kept his word.
The death of Tecumseh at the battle of